Willie Manu - Call up for England

New England coach Steve McNamara is set to risk controversy by considering Hull's Tongan second row forward Willie Manu for the Four Nations series.

The 30-year-old Manu played for Tonga in the 2008 World Cup but now qualifies for England on residency, having moved to the United Kingdom in 2006 - initially to play for Castleford - and he was brought into McNamara's squad for a get-together in Liverpool this week.

McNamara's predecessor Tony Smith created much debate after handing Samoa-born prop Maurie Fa'asavalu a Great Britain debut in 2007.

"Willie Manu qualifies to play for England on residency and has made himself available," said an RFL spokesman.

we dont need him.. we've got an adundance of forwards vieing for selection.. he wouldnt even make the squad. And why bother when he'll probably be past it in a few years?!.. McNamara needs his head read if he's seriously considering him.

I'm no fan of this and don't think we need him in the side however there is never this amount of hand waving from fans of the union or cricket teams. The issue is with the rules that let such selections be available to the coach.

"surely they've got to try somthing different now, maybe the little chip over the top?2